BREATHITT COUNTY, KY — Samaritan’s Purse volunteers are bringing encouragement and the hope of the Gospel to devastated homeowners in Breathitt County, Kentucky, in the United States following massive storm floods that severely damaged their homes.

Todd Taylor, Samaritan’s Purse:

We are in Breathitt County, Kentucky, and Samaritan’s Purse is responding to the floods that happened several days ago.

We’re helping homeowners go into their flooded homes, salvage their belongings, and begin tearing out the sheetrock and the drywall, the paneling.

Pastor Gary Bellamy, Providence Pentecostal Church:

Some of the communities was totally wiped out. When tragedy happens, God has an opportunity. I think it really awakens us more than ever how much we really, really need Him.

Jim Rodgers, Volunteer:

This area has suffered a lot of economic hardship over the years. And with what they have, they have now lost. These houses, once they’ve been hit by the flood, are basically uninhabitable. The atmosphere would be a toxic atmosphere inside the home.

Not only does the flood damage the home, but it takes possessions. And some of the possessions have been handed down through generations.

Rand Bowman, Volunteer:

Well, you can’t imagine 4 feet of floodwater in your living room. Can’t imagine what it does, and the mud that it leaves behind, the despair, the despondency of the homeowner. So it’s wonderful to come alongside and provide some encouragement in the midst of the storm.

Rena Ritchie, Homeowner:

My mom had a doll that was 74 years old. And I’ve had it all these years. Now it’s gone. It can’t ever be replaced. She passed away about three months ago, and that was really something special to me. It’s hard. It’s really hard. When you went through something like this, and you all are trying to help us– it’s lifted a lot of weight off of us. We just can’t do it ourself. There’s no way.

Gary Seaton, Volunteer:

I’m just grateful to Samaritan’s Purse. They gave us the opportunity to help people in some of their lowest times.

Todd Taylor:

So to be able to come alongside our Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplain and offer these folks hope in Jesus–

that’s why we’re here. That’s such a blessing for our volunteers. It’s what gets our volunteers and our staff excited to go out each day, just to be able to share in Jesus’ Name while we’re here.

As we continue to serve, we ask you to please pray and support our efforts as we continue to minister in Jesus’ Name to the folks affected by this devastating flood.

Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet the needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Samaritan’s Purse International Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) program is committed to meeting the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease, and natural disaster. We stand ready to respond at a moment’s notice whenever and wherever disaster strikes. The DART specializes in providing water, food, shelter, and medical care while sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

CONTACT: Kaitlyn Lahm, news@samaritan.org

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